Keep your eye on the prize …

It’s being discussed and debated endlessly, by TV anchors and pundits, by newspaper and magazine reporters and journalists and in living rooms, offices and bars all over America: “Is Joe Biden too old to be running for President?” Before Biden announced his candidacy, the question was, “Is Pete Buttigieg too young?”

With all due respect, I think these folks are missing the point. It should never have anything to do with age, but this year, in particular, I think it is a distraction that could prove to be very costly. I think the only question anyone should be asking is, “Who has the best chance of beating Donald Trump?”

Maybe you think that age is relevant, but I don’t. Because it’s highly doubtful that the next President will be elected based on age, just like the current one wasn’t. Lest anyone forget, Trump is no spring chicken

I can’t help but wonder …

This has been a year when we’ve had front row seats as America has said goodbye and thank you to Barbara Bush, John McCain and now, former President George H.W. Bush.

We’ve seen and heard the tearful tributes and fond memories shared by numerous friends, family, colleagues, global leaders and even journalists who covered them over the years. We’ve watched footage of the significant moments of their lives — both personal and professional — replayed over and over and

Time for the media to shift gears …

If I hear “I don’t recall” come out the mouth of one more Republican in Washington I am going to scream.

Jeff Sessions, the nation’s top law enforcement official not only couldn’t remember important details about contacts between the Russians and the Trump campaign, he also conveniently “forgot” his own meetings with Sergey Kislyak.

Jared Kushner had to submit four addenda detailing over 100 errors and

Heartbreaking …

Another 59 people have lost their lives for no reason and 527 more have been injured. This time the massacre of innocent people happened in Las Vegas, at a concert. The shooter had at least 10 guns (many of which were automatic rifles) with him and another 18 were found at his home. He also had hundreds of rounds of ammunition and explosives. Many of the guns were purchased legally.

It seems that the NRA, the GOP (who have been bought and paid for by the NRA), the President and all those gun-totin’ Second Amendment-loving Americans think having the right to bear arms makes America great.

And that, my friends, is the real tragedy.

Instead of my usual blog post, today I’m going to turn this space over to Jimmy Kimmel, the comedian and late-night talk show host who has taken on the role of being America’s conscience. God knows America needs one.

Watch Jimmy Kimmel’s opening monologue here. It will break your heart and it will make you angry. And if you live in the United States I hope it inspires you to take on your government, and the NRA. Enough already.

You can do this.

 

 

 

The days of eloquence, elegance and civility are now officially over …

A friend sent me a very interesting New York times article (How to Listen to Donald Trump  Every Day for Years) on the weekend. It was written by John McWhorter, who is an associate professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia.

He talked about Trump’s “choppy, rambling, self-expression” and went on to explain that it’s

Who knew my reaction to the election is not unusual …

I read a fascinating article in last Sunday’s New York Times. It’s about how the election is sending America to the couch,  a whopping 52% of Americans, to be precise. Both Republicans and Democrats, by the way.

Before we go any further, though, let me clarify. In my case, there is no therapy involved. I have nothing against therapy, far from it, but for me, a Canadian, to get so carried away over this presidential race that I’d need to talk to a professional about it would be quite

At a loss for words

It’s too much.

All the hatred, all the violence, all the death, all the destruction.

I can’t believe it’s become a part of our daily lives.

I can’t believe there are those who still refuse to
acknowledge there’s a problem.

I can’t believe there are those who think a minute of

She must be talking to herself …

There she stands in all her glory. The Statue of Liberty, the universal symbol of freedom and democracy, welcoming all immigrants arriving from abroad.

A UNESCO world heritage sight, she has been described as a “masterpiece of the human spirit that endures as a highly potent symbol—inspiring contemplation, debate and protest—of ideals such as liberty, peace, human rights, abolition of slavery, democracy and opportunity.”

What must she think of Donald Trump?

Considering all the vile and vicious garbage that flows freely and unchecked from those pouty lips of his, and all his ugly promises of

This isn’t gonna win me any popularity contests …

… because I know it’s not really any of my business, me being a Canadian and all, but I’m just too sad, and too shocked, to keep it to myself.  What in the world is going on?  This isn’t the America I grew up loving.  This isn’t the America I grew up envying.  This isn’t the America I wished Canada would be more like.  This isn’t the America where I wished I could live.

What the bloody hell!

Before ya’all get all up in arms (trust me, no pun intended), I know there are plenty of good guys in the U.S.  I truly believe there are more good guys than bad guys.  But I’ve gotta tell you, from where I’m sitting it looks like the bad guys are winning.

You elected a black President.  Twice.  Once by an absolute landslide.  But from the instant that man moved into the White House, probably before his personal belongings were even unpacked,